WHEN Gwen and Malcolm Bruce viewed this sturdy granite property on Great Western Road they spotted the potential to turn it into a cosy family home.
Originally from Inverurie, the couple had moved to Kent with Malcolm’s work.
In 2006 another career move for operations manager Malcolm, 39, meant returning to Aberdeen for a new job with Wood Group. Gwen, 38, said: “Malcolm moved back first and it was left to him to do the house searching.
“Olivia and I came up later to see the properties he had picked out. We wanted a house in the city centre primarily to be close to Albyn school for Olivia and Malcolm’s work.
“When I first saw this property my first impression was that it really needed some TLC.
“Luckily, I have a family full of plumbers and electricians and we were able to call on them for help.
Since moving in, the couple have replaced fireplaces, added a new heating system, kitchen, bathrooms, built-in wardrobes and extended a shower room into an en-suite for the master bedroom.
Original features such as high ceilings, decorative cornicing, deep skirting boards and pitch pine flooring blend effortlessly with more modern touches.
The elegant lounge is bright and airy with an attractive cast-iron fireplace.
Gwen loves to cook and entertain family and friends, which means the dining room is well used.
The beautiful wooden floor is down to Gwen’s dad Jim Stevenson who stripped back the original floorboards.
“This is a very elegant room – and when you get the crystal out it looks lovely,” added Gwen.
“I’ve always liked the kitchen’s combination of cream units with black worktops.
“I’ve used a cranberry shade of red as a contrasting colour to bring everything together.
Off the rear hall is the master bedroom and en-suite bathroom.
“Extending the old shower room has made such a difference to the back of the house. It opened up the space and putting in the new bathroom suite created a really lovely space that’s light and airy.
“Because of where it is, you feel as if you are away from the rest of the house.”
On the upper floor are three double bedrooms with fitted wardrobes.
The inspiration for the stunning black and white-themed family bathroom came from the material used in the blinds.
Gwen said: “I’ve always wanted a room that had black and white tiled flooring.”
On this floor there is also a study.
Last year the couple finished the inside of the house and this year they turned their attention to the garden.
Gwen said: “We had the back garden landscaped and a new patio, decking and lawn laid.
“Doing that has made a huge difference to the back of the house – it’s a really lovely garden now.
“There is not a lot to do in it other than keep it tidy.
“Luckily, the front garden was well established with rose bushes and plants.
“One of the major benefits of this house is that there are separate drives and two garages which provide more than ample off-street parking for us.
“Round about here that’s quite rare.”
“I feel we have taken this house and really made it into a beautiful family home,” she added.
“But as with everything, its time to move on to the next chapter.
“We have a feeling that we would like to go back to the Inverurie area again but we are keeping an open mind.”